US20040216374A1 - Hydroponic container - Google Patents
Hydroponic container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040216374A1 US20040216374A1 US10/624,850 US62485003A US2004216374A1 US 20040216374 A1 US20040216374 A1 US 20040216374A1 US 62485003 A US62485003 A US 62485003A US 2004216374 A1 US2004216374 A1 US 2004216374A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- block
- dehydrated
- base
- coir
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/20—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material
- A01G24/22—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor based on or containing natural organic material containing plant material
- A01G24/25—Dry fruit hulls or husks, e.g. chaff or coir
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/50—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor contained within a flexible envelope
Definitions
- the present invention relates to hydroponic growth mediums and, in particular to a hydroponic container system which uses so-called coir fibre pith or cocopeat as the growth medium within a plastics container whereby a slab of dehydrated processed cocopeat is formed in plastics packaging which is supplied to the user sealed, whereafter the user opens the packaging to form the container with an open top and proceeds to expand and condition the cocopeat prior to planting.
- the packaging in which the cocopeat is supplied forms the container in which the plants are grown hydroponically which obviates the need for handling of the cocopeat.
- Cocopeat is a natural and renewable resource produced by the coconut industry. Cocopeat is produced as a byproduct when coconut husks are processed for the extraction of the long fibres from the husks where the cocopeat is the binding material that comes from the fibre fraction of the coconut husk.
- the coir fibre pith is washed, heat treated, screened and graded for horticultural and agricultural applications.
- the cocopeat is formed of millions of capillary micro-sponges which absorb and hold up to eight times its weight in water and as such is a suitable product to be used as an hydroponic growth medium for plants.
- Cocopeat can be used in the hydroponic growing of plants in a variety of ways.
- the cocopeat can be placed in specialised containers, pots, or styrene boxes whereby the cocopeat is re-hydrated bales or blocks.
- Such usage requires handling and installation of the cocopeat into the requisite or specialised container.
- an hydroponic container apparatus for growing plants therein, said apparatus comprising a block of dehydrated coir fibres placed in a container, said container having sides and base and an open top, drain hole means being located in its base, the container being adapted to be folded and sealed such that the container acts as packaging for the block of dehydrated coir fibres, the sides of the container being folded and secured over the top of the block, wherein the container when it is ready for use is adapted to be unsealed and unfolded such that the dehydrated block of coir fibres is able to be re-hydrated and readied for use as a hydroponic medium whilst still in the container.
- a method of growing plants hydroponically including the steps of providing a block of dehydrated coir fibres placed in a container having a base and side(s) and an open top, said base having drain hole means located therein, folding side(s) on top of the block and sealing to form packaging of the block, unsealing the folded sides to form an open topped container, re-hydrating and readying the block of coir fibres to receive plants therein.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of a preferred embodiment shown as packaging for the cocopeat;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown being opened;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown in the process of hydrating the cocopeat;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown in the process of conditioning the cocopeat.
- FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown with a plant being grown hydroponically.
- a hydroponic container or planterbag 10 is illustrated in the drawings.
- the container 10 is formed with a base 11 , four sides 12 and an open top 13 . Naturally, the number of sides can be varied.
- the base 11 has drainage holes 14 as the container 10 is made from impervious plastics material.
- hydroponic medium such as cocopeat is placed in the container 10 whereby the cocopeat or coir fibre has been processed and dehydrated. Naturally other types of growth mediums can be used.
- the sides 11 of the container 10 are then folded over the cocopeat and is sealed as seen in the packaged container 10 in FIG. 1. The sealed container 10 is then suitable for sale and shipment.
- the container 10 When the container 10 is to be readied for use, the container 10 is unsealed and opened as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cocopeat is hydrated by pouring water into the container 10 . A container 10 which has 9 litres of cocopeat in the container 10 when it is expanded requires approximately 4 litres of water to hydrate to full expansion.
- the cocopeat in the container is then conditioned whereby, the electrical conductivity or CE of the irrigation water is measured and when the EC of the runoff water, though the drainage holes 14 is substantially the same, the cocopeat is then sufficiently flushed and ready for charging which is done before planting.
- the cocopeat is charged with a full nutrient solution.
- the recommended nutrient strength for charging is an EC of 1.0 to 1.5.
- the charging process is generally stopped when the runoff matches nutrient strength of the irrigation water.
- the container 10 is then ready for use and the planting end growth management is done in accordance with accepted practices.
- the container 10 can be used for one or more plants according to the type of plant and the crop requirements. It is desired to grow more than one plant per container 10 , the container 10 can be accordingly increased in size.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Hydroponics (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to hydroponic growth mediums and, in particular to a hydroponic container system which uses so-called coir fibre pith or cocopeat as the growth medium within a plastics container whereby a slab of dehydrated processed cocopeat is formed in plastics packaging which is supplied to the user sealed, whereafter the user opens the packaging to form the container with an open top and proceeds to expand and condition the cocopeat prior to planting. The packaging in which the cocopeat is supplied forms the container in which the plants are grown hydroponically which obviates the need for handling of the cocopeat.
- In the horticultural industry it is known to use so-called coir fibre pith or cocopeat as the growth medium. Cocopeat is a natural and renewable resource produced by the coconut industry. Cocopeat is produced as a byproduct when coconut husks are processed for the extraction of the long fibres from the husks where the cocopeat is the binding material that comes from the fibre fraction of the coconut husk.
- The coir fibre pith is washed, heat treated, screened and graded for horticultural and agricultural applications. The cocopeat is formed of millions of capillary micro-sponges which absorb and hold up to eight times its weight in water and as such is a suitable product to be used as an hydroponic growth medium for plants.
- Cocopeat can be used in the hydroponic growing of plants in a variety of ways. The cocopeat can be placed in specialised containers, pots, or styrene boxes whereby the cocopeat is re-hydrated bales or blocks. Such usage requires handling and installation of the cocopeat into the requisite or specialised container.
- It is seen that it would be advantageous to provide the cocopeat in packaging which can be used as the growing container as it provides the most economic and efficient method of growing hydroponic crops.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an hydroponic container which provides the above mentioned advantages. At the very least, the invention provides an alternative to previously known methods and systems.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed an hydroponic container apparatus for growing plants therein, said apparatus comprising a block of dehydrated coir fibres placed in a container, said container having sides and base and an open top, drain hole means being located in its base, the container being adapted to be folded and sealed such that the container acts as packaging for the block of dehydrated coir fibres, the sides of the container being folded and secured over the top of the block, wherein the container when it is ready for use is adapted to be unsealed and unfolded such that the dehydrated block of coir fibres is able to be re-hydrated and readied for use as a hydroponic medium whilst still in the container.
- According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of growing plants hydroponically, said method including the steps of providing a block of dehydrated coir fibres placed in a container having a base and side(s) and an open top, said base having drain hole means located therein, folding side(s) on top of the block and sealing to form packaging of the block, unsealing the folded sides to form an open topped container, re-hydrating and readying the block of coir fibres to receive plants therein.
- Some embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying draws in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of a preferred embodiment shown as packaging for the cocopeat;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown being opened;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown in the process of hydrating the cocopeat;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown in the process of conditioning the cocopeat; and
- FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown with a plant being grown hydroponically.
- A hydroponic container or
planterbag 10 is illustrated in the drawings. Thecontainer 10 is formed with abase 11, foursides 12 and anopen top 13. Naturally, the number of sides can be varied. Thebase 11 hasdrainage holes 14 as thecontainer 10 is made from impervious plastics material. - In the preferred form of the invention, hydroponic medium such as cocopeat is placed in the
container 10 whereby the cocopeat or coir fibre has been processed and dehydrated. Naturally other types of growth mediums can be used. Thesides 11 of thecontainer 10 are then folded over the cocopeat and is sealed as seen in the packagedcontainer 10 in FIG. 1. The sealedcontainer 10 is then suitable for sale and shipment. - When the
container 10 is to be readied for use, thecontainer 10 is unsealed and opened as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cocopeat is hydrated by pouring water into thecontainer 10. Acontainer 10 which has 9 litres of cocopeat in thecontainer 10 when it is expanded requires approximately 4 litres of water to hydrate to full expansion. - The cocopeat in the container is then conditioned whereby, the electrical conductivity or CE of the irrigation water is measured and when the EC of the runoff water, though the
drainage holes 14 is substantially the same, the cocopeat is then sufficiently flushed and ready for charging which is done before planting. - The cocopeat is charged with a full nutrient solution. The recommended nutrient strength for charging is an EC of 1.0 to 1.5. The charging process is generally stopped when the runoff matches nutrient strength of the irrigation water.
- The
container 10 is then ready for use and the planting end growth management is done in accordance with accepted practices. - The
container 10 can be used for one or more plants according to the type of plant and the crop requirements. It is desired to grow more than one plant percontainer 10, thecontainer 10 can be accordingly increased in size. - Throughout the specification, the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than an exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise.
- The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (6)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2003203772A AU2003203772B1 (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-04-16 | Hydroponic container |
AU2003203772 | 2003-04-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040216374A1 true US20040216374A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
Family
ID=33136571
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/624,850 Abandoned US20040216374A1 (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-07-21 | Hydroponic container |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040216374A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003203772B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2435800A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL1035318C2 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2009-10-20 | Holland Potgrond Limburg Behee | Growth material i.e. compost processing method for crop growth, involves packing compost in waterproof container, and sealing container for transport, where container is opened and desired amount of water is poured |
US8024890B2 (en) | 2007-10-29 | 2011-09-27 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Compressed coconut coir pith granules and methods for the production and use thereof |
US8256160B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2012-09-04 | Rubin Patti D | Compressed growing medium |
ES2438340A1 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2014-01-16 | Ispemar S.C.A | Procedure of cultivation in soil using coconut fiber (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
EP2926648A4 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2016-06-22 | Giménez Yago Alonso | All-in-one flexible, multi-purpose stand-alone container comprising an improved fertilised substrate for aquatic plants and marsh plants, and production method thereof |
US9756798B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2017-09-12 | Patti D. Rubin | Burrow filling compressed growing medium |
US20240049650A1 (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2024-02-15 | Douglas Daniel Fear | Ready to use grow bags and methods of making and using the same |
Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1828448A (en) * | 1929-08-20 | 1931-10-20 | Gotthelf M Seidel | Cardboard plant box |
US2721022A (en) * | 1951-11-01 | 1955-10-18 | William J Billerbeck | Shipping carton |
US2774187A (en) * | 1954-05-18 | 1956-12-18 | Vernon L Smithers | Package for transporting cut flowers |
US3762625A (en) * | 1970-01-15 | 1973-10-02 | Mojonnier Inc Albert | Plastic seamless gable top container |
US3842537A (en) * | 1973-10-19 | 1974-10-22 | Bishop Floral Co | Plant growth composition and structure |
US3971160A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1976-07-27 | Leslie Vajtay | Environmental package |
US4034508A (en) * | 1975-08-11 | 1977-07-12 | Gravi-Mechanics Co. | Polymerized soil with growing plant and method of making and package therefor and hanger and plaque incorporating the same |
US4118890A (en) * | 1977-02-16 | 1978-10-10 | Shore William S | Plant package |
US4124953A (en) * | 1976-12-02 | 1978-11-14 | Patton Harold Y | Planter kit and display package therefor |
US5119588A (en) * | 1989-10-03 | 1992-06-09 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Method and apparatus for culturing autotrophic plants from heterotrophic plant material |
US5119590A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1992-06-09 | Izzard Jackie V | Plant growing kit |
US5224295A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1993-07-06 | Izzard Jackie V | Plant growing kit |
US5458662A (en) * | 1992-08-11 | 1995-10-17 | Toyone; Minoru | Processed coconut outer husk chops and process for producing same |
US20020073616A1 (en) * | 2000-12-18 | 2002-06-20 | Pelton Norman R. | Tree seedling plug and method of making same |
US20030024163A1 (en) * | 2001-07-31 | 2003-02-06 | Sasuga David G. | Method of packaging edible plants |
-
2003
- 2003-04-16 AU AU2003203772A patent/AU2003203772B1/en not_active Expired
- 2003-07-21 US US10/624,850 patent/US20040216374A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-07-22 CA CA002435800A patent/CA2435800A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1828448A (en) * | 1929-08-20 | 1931-10-20 | Gotthelf M Seidel | Cardboard plant box |
US2721022A (en) * | 1951-11-01 | 1955-10-18 | William J Billerbeck | Shipping carton |
US2774187A (en) * | 1954-05-18 | 1956-12-18 | Vernon L Smithers | Package for transporting cut flowers |
US3762625A (en) * | 1970-01-15 | 1973-10-02 | Mojonnier Inc Albert | Plastic seamless gable top container |
US3842537A (en) * | 1973-10-19 | 1974-10-22 | Bishop Floral Co | Plant growth composition and structure |
US3971160A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1976-07-27 | Leslie Vajtay | Environmental package |
US4034508A (en) * | 1975-08-11 | 1977-07-12 | Gravi-Mechanics Co. | Polymerized soil with growing plant and method of making and package therefor and hanger and plaque incorporating the same |
US4124953A (en) * | 1976-12-02 | 1978-11-14 | Patton Harold Y | Planter kit and display package therefor |
US4118890A (en) * | 1977-02-16 | 1978-10-10 | Shore William S | Plant package |
US5119588A (en) * | 1989-10-03 | 1992-06-09 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Method and apparatus for culturing autotrophic plants from heterotrophic plant material |
US5119590A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1992-06-09 | Izzard Jackie V | Plant growing kit |
US5224295A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1993-07-06 | Izzard Jackie V | Plant growing kit |
US5458662A (en) * | 1992-08-11 | 1995-10-17 | Toyone; Minoru | Processed coconut outer husk chops and process for producing same |
US20020073616A1 (en) * | 2000-12-18 | 2002-06-20 | Pelton Norman R. | Tree seedling plug and method of making same |
US20030024163A1 (en) * | 2001-07-31 | 2003-02-06 | Sasuga David G. | Method of packaging edible plants |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8256160B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2012-09-04 | Rubin Patti D | Compressed growing medium |
US8316581B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2012-11-27 | Rubin Patti D | Compressed growing medium |
US8544206B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2013-10-01 | Patti D. Rubin | Compressed growing medium |
US9756798B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2017-09-12 | Patti D. Rubin | Burrow filling compressed growing medium |
US8024890B2 (en) | 2007-10-29 | 2011-09-27 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Compressed coconut coir pith granules and methods for the production and use thereof |
US8429849B2 (en) | 2007-10-29 | 2013-04-30 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Compressed coconut coir pith granules and methods for the production and use thereof |
US20130212943A1 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2013-08-22 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Compressed coconut coir pith granules and methods for the production and use thereof |
NL1035318C2 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2009-10-20 | Holland Potgrond Limburg Behee | Growth material i.e. compost processing method for crop growth, involves packing compost in waterproof container, and sealing container for transport, where container is opened and desired amount of water is poured |
ES2438340A1 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2014-01-16 | Ispemar S.C.A | Procedure of cultivation in soil using coconut fiber (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
EP2926648A4 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2016-06-22 | Giménez Yago Alonso | All-in-one flexible, multi-purpose stand-alone container comprising an improved fertilised substrate for aquatic plants and marsh plants, and production method thereof |
US20240049650A1 (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2024-02-15 | Douglas Daniel Fear | Ready to use grow bags and methods of making and using the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2003203772B1 (en) | 2003-07-24 |
CA2435800A1 (en) | 2004-10-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GALUKU PTY LTD., AUSTRALIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DAVIDS, JOSEPH;REEL/FRAME:014750/0173 Effective date: 20031117 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BAYZ PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GALUKU PTY LTD;REEL/FRAME:014750/0170 Effective date: 20031117 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JACKSON INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC, GEORGIA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GALUKU GROUP LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:050956/0186 Effective date: 20150114 |